Mount Berry Mall, previously named Mount Berry Square, stands as a single-level enclosed shopping destination situated in Rome, Georgia. Serving as the sole enclosed mall within the city, it first opened its doors in 1991. The mall features Belk and Dunham's Sports as its anchor stores and is currently under the ownership and management of the Hull Property Group.
1988-1993: Planning and early years
Plans for Mount Berry Square trace back to March 23, 1988,[1] with construction and timber clearing starting in the summer of 1989.[2] This joint venture development between Crown American and Homart Development Company[3] officially opened on February 13, 1991,[4] featuring anchor tenants JCPenney, Sears, Belk-Rhodes, and Hess's, all replacing existing stores in Rome.[5] Restaurants at the food court also operated for the first time, most notably a Chick-Fil-A.[6] The restaurant has since been renamed to Chick-Fil-A Dwarf Classics since 2013.[7]
The mall's architectural design was executed by Crawford McWilliams Hatcher Architects, Inc.[8] Crown American had intentions for a fifth anchor near the food court, initially planning for a Bloomingdale's. However, this proposal was abandoned, reportedly due to the city's rejection of the idea of a high-end Bloomingdale's.[citation needed]
JCPenney and Belk-Rhodes introduced new store designs with a heightened emphasis on fashion.[9] The Hess's store closed in 1993, later replaced by Proffitt's.[10] The current occupant of the space is Dunham's Sports, which opened in late 2013.[11]
2003-2010: Later years and start of decline
On November 22, 2003, the merger between Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust and Crown American concluded, resulting in Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust acquiring all 26 shopping malls owned by Crown American, including Mount Berry Square.[12] Before the merger, Crown American had identified this property as one of 6 "non-core" assets to be divested after the completion of the merger. In 2003, the mall's occupancy rate was 73.3%, lower than the average for Crown American properties at that time, which stood at 93.0%.[13]
On September 29, 2004, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust finalized the sale of Mount Berry Square, along with four other shopping malls[14] designated as "non-core" properties by Crown American, to The Lightstone Group's Prime Retail division.[13] In October 2005, it was announced that the Proffitt's store at the mall would transition to become a second Belk store, following Belk's acquisition of 47 Proffitt's and McRae's stores.[15] Eventually, this Belk store closed and was succeeded by Dunham's Sports.[11]
In June 2010, news broke that Mount Berry Square would undergo foreclosure on July 6, 2010, due to The Lightstone Group defaulting on loans totaling $73.9 million and another for $7 million. Three of the four properties purchased from Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust by The Lightstone Group, including Mount Berry Square, were implicated in the default. Jones Lang LaSalle managed the mall and the other foreclosed properties during this period as a receiver.[16] Subsequently, on August 23, 2010, Urban Retail Properties assumed management responsibilities for Mount Berry Square and two additional properties from The Lightstone Group's portfolio.[17]
The food court of Mount Berry Mall
2012-present: Later decline
In October 2012, Hull Property Group, based in Augusta, revealed their acquisition of the mall.[18] In January 2016, Sears announced its impending closure, scheduled for March 26, 2016.[19] In 2020, Hull Property Group initiated renovations at the mall, including the installation of new flooring and lighting, enhancements to public restrooms, and improvements to the HVAC system. Concurrently, they decided to rename the mall as Mount Berry Mall.[20]
In June 2020, news surfaced that JCPenney would cease operations around October 2020 as part of a nationwide plan to close 154 stores.[21] Following the closure of JCPenney, Dunham's Sports and Belk stood as the sole remaining anchor tenants.
^Gilliland, Mark (13 February 1991). Sneak preview. Rome News-Tribune. Mount Berry Square Chick-Fil-A restaurant operator Doug Wyatt III nominated Kenedy, who becomes the restaurant's 15th employee to receive the award since the location opened in February 1991.
